Sinn Féin - On Your Side

Sinn Féin’s Mental Health and Suicide Awareness spokesperson Mary Lou McDonald TD has described a report from the Mental Health Commission, which is critical of the privacy arrangements at the psychiatric unit at Roscommon University Hospital, as an indictment on this and previous governments’ cuts to funding for mental health.

Teachta McDonald said comprehensive, independent patient advocacy services need to be put in place and resourced as a matter of urgency.

Speaking today she said;

“This report raises serious concerns about the care of patients in psychiatric units.

“The lack of privacy for patients and inadequate provision of personal space is quite disturbing.

“This, of course, is a result of the underfunding of our mental health services under this Fine Gael led government and under the previous Fianna Fáil led governments.

“But these problems also highlight the serious issue of the lack of a voice for mental health patients. The reality is that incidents such as the ones outlined in this report would be less likely to happen if patients had an advocate acting on their behalf.

“That is why it is hugely important that comprehensive, independent patient advocacy services are in place and resourced as a matter of urgency.”